C-FIT

9) Non-stabilized appch.

6 fatal accidents on record

This accident is where the pilot flies an unstabilized approach and never discontinues the approach, but instead forces the plane onto the runway. The result is usually a long landing going off the opposite end. Depending on the terrain and circumstances, not all accidents are fatal, but each result in a runway excursion either laterally or past the end. The FAA asks for stabilized approaches in numerous documents for GA but never defines exactly what criteria defines a stabilized approach.

Trend

Fatal accidents per quarter, last 8 quarters, with a rolling 12-month average (per quarter)
  • Accidents per quarter
  • Rolling 12-month average
9) Non-stabilized appch.: Fatal accidents per quarter, last 8 quarters, with a rolling 12-month average (per quarter)
PeriodAccidentsRolling 12-month average per quarter
Q1 202510.5
Q2 202500.5
Q3 202510.5
Q4 202510.8
Q1 202610.8
Q2 202611
Q3 202600.8
Q4 2026 QTD00.5

Lessons

Short reads from the DTSB lesson library for this category.

No lessons for this category yet.

Practice scenarios

What to practice to keep this from happening to you. Fly drills with a qualified instructor at a safe altitude, or in a simulator.

No practice scenarios for this category yet.

Recent accidents in this category

See all 6 in the accident index →